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Frequently Asked Questions

Home › DCBA › Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DCBA?

Created in 1975, the DCBA was formed by a small group of downtown business owners recognizing the need to plan for the future of downtown and ensure its economic vitality.

Formed as a Business Improvement District (BID), the DCBA has evolved over the years into a strong marketing and advocacy organization that continues to support a downtown environment that will flourish and prosper into the future.

What are the DCBA boundaries?

Encompassing 40 square blocks, the DCBA boundaries house approximately 450 diverse businesses.

What does DCBA do?

  • Provides advocacy and representation for downtown regarding issues that include parking, enforcement, maintenance, and city ordinances.
  • Provides membership communication, support and education.
  • Organizes and implements annual promotional events — Friday Night Concerts, Slice of Chico, Harvest Sidewalk Sale, Treat Street, Christmas Preview and Community Tree Lighting.
  • Plans, implements and manages 2 large-scale annual fundraising events – Taste of Chico and the 26-week Thursday Night Market.
  • Manages the year-round Weekend Clean-up Program that utilizes court-appointed community service workers.
  • As contracted with the City of Chico manages the downtown planter program
  • Represents the interests of the organization on various community task forces and committees.
  • Acts as a resource for property owners and potential tenants.
  • Creates and publishes a monthly membership newsletter, What’s Up Downtown?
  • Publishes and distributes annually 10,000 copies of the Downtown Chico Business Directory.
  • Funds and maintains a downtown-dedicated website, www.downtownchico.com, that receives over 12,000 unique visits per month.
  • Develops and organizes several collaborative advertising campaigns that promote and market Downtown Chico

Who makes all of this happen?

  • An elected 21-member Board of Directors consisting of dedicated downtown business owners and employees, downtown property owners, and community members.
  • A dedicated staff— managing office operations, project development, advocacy, fundraising, public relations, event planning, downtown clean up, etc.
  • Several volunteer committees — addressing specific challenges or developments.

How is the DCBA funded?

The organization is funded annually by: Membership Assessments, Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.), Special Events, and Contracted Services with the City of Chico.

Membership Assessments

(approximately 9% of annual budget)

Businesses within the DCBA district are members and pay an annual assessment based on the following criteria: type of business, location of business, and number of employees.

Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.)

(approximately 13% of annual budget)

The DCBA applies for T.O.T. funding from the City of Chico, which grants monies to approved organizations in order o strengthen community and local economy through various projects and events.

The DCBA uses T.O.T. funds to subsidize holiday events and Friday Night Concerts as well as membership communication and Downtown Clean-up Program.

Special Events & Fundraising

(approximately 76% of annual budget)

Events are not only a key factor in promoting Downtown Chico as the cultural and retail center of the community they are also the primary source of revenue for the organization.

Events such as the Thursday Night Market (TNM) and Taste of Chico are the DCBA’s main fundraising vehicles generating income through ticket sales and booth rental.

All events generate income through sponsorships. Sponsors pay anywhere from $250 – $5,000.

City Contracts

(approximately 2% of annual budget)

The City of Chico currently contracts with the DCBA to maintain the city planters.

For the past several years the DCBA has effectively bolstered the planter budget with the “Adopt-a-Planter” program – for a small annual sponsorship fee businesses contribute to the beautification effort in Downtown.